The following is a list of shader examples aimed at those of you who wish to create new effects using Quake II Evolved.

Contents
1) Making a shiny metal surface
2) Making a reflective window
3) Creating a normal mapped shader

Something not here you would like to see? Request an example!

Ok then, on with the examples!

NOTE: Before you start messing with these, check what version of Quake II Evolved you have. These shaders have been made using Quake II Evolved Version 0.46, and so using them on older versions may provide visual errors or shader warnings.

1) Making AShiny Metal Surface

A common shader used in games are metallic walls that give off a slight reflection. This shader can also be manipulated so that marble, glass and other none-transparent shiny things can give off a slight reflection. Of course, creating a real time reflection is overkill for our generation of computers, and so all reflections are a simple cube map. The results look good enough, however.

The shader:

First we will make the shader. I will base this on the following shader:

textures/texturedir/texturename
{
{
map textures/texturedir/texturename.tga
}
{
cubeMap env/cubemapname
tcGen reflection
blendfunc gl_one gl_one
}
{
map textures/texturedir/texturename.tga
blendFunc blend
}
{
map $lightmap
rgbGen identity
blendfunc gl_dst_color gl_zero
}
}

The first stage is the metal base texture, this is obviously needed. The second stage, is the cubemap reflection, this will draw "over" the first stage, meaning that it appears in front of the texture in-game. We are using blendfunc gl_one gl_one here. The third stage, is the metal texture again, only this time we are loading the texture's alpha channel and displaying that above the reflection. This gives the illusion of depth, and also creates a much more interesting effect than just a simple reflection on top. The final stage is us blending the lightmap back over the top, so that the texture is lit correctly.

Ok then, want to check this effect out for yourself? Grab the following file. It has all the textures needed, included the .map and .bsp. To load the map, pull down the console and type /map q2e_shader_1

Download This File

Tips And Tricks:

Its always best to mess around with things. For example, this shader loads the last layer as an alpha channel, so try messing with different transparencies and such to create more or less of a shine.

When creating a cube map, its always best to know "where" its going to go. For example, if your texture is going to be outside next to rock with an open sky, its pointless having a reflection that looks like something from inside. A great way of creating the perfect cube map is to create a series of "box maps" with simple geometry inside them, but texture the decor so that it looks like a certain place. Use "average base1 textures" and there you go, you have a nice map to take an envshot inside of. This means that reflections are not of a specific area, but of your average decor, and it will create a much more nice effect in the long run. It also means that you can save texture and memory space, by only loading a certain cubemap for certain things.

Also with cube maps, remember that detail is great, but only if its "needed". For a window reflection, sure, go for it, but on a wall? Is it REALLY needed? Make the cubemap blury, make it less detailed, drop the resolution down etc. It will create a slight reflection, but it looks great.

2) Making A Reflective Window

Another common shader used a lot is reflective windows. This is very much like making a reflective wall, only now we use just two stages, and make the first transparent. Again, we will use a cube map.

The shader:

First we will make the shader. I will base this on the following shader:

textures/texturedir/texturename
{
tesssize 8
{
map textures/texturedir/texturename.tga
blendFunc blend
}
{
cubeMap env/cubemapname
tcGen reflection
blendfunc gl_one gl_one
}
{
map $lightmap
rgbGen identity
blendfunc gl_dst_color gl_zero
}
}

The first stage is the window texture, this is obviously needed. The window texture is using blendFunc blend, so that it draws transparent. The second stage, is the cubemap reflection, this will draw "over" the first stage, meaning that it appears in front of the texture in-game. We are using blendfunc gl_one gl_one here. The final stage is us blending the lightmap back over the top, so that the texture is lit correctly. You might also notice "tesssize" in there. This will change just how much the texture warps when you move past it. A higher value means more tesselation, and so a bigger hit on frame rate.

Ok then, want to check this effect out for yourself? Grab the following file. It has all the textures needed, included the .map and .bsp. To load the map, pull down the console and type /map q2e_shader_2

Download This File

Tips And Tricks:

Try messing with different styles of cube maps. Again, a blury image can sometimes look better than a sharp one.

Always, always remember where exactly this window will reflect. Its great and all seeing that window in base1 reflect your pod, but remember that its also in base3. Its very hard to find a nice reflection that suits all areas, at least when you are making shaders for stock Quake 2 maps.

3) Creating A Normal Mapped Object

Quake II Evolved has the ability to use normal mapped media, these can be used for everything from interaction with lighting (Such as Doom 3, for example) and even level effects such as heat distortion or water. For this example, we will concentrate on making a normal mapped object.

The shader:

First, lets make our shader. The following is the shader we will use:

models/test_normal/test_skin
{
{
bumpmap models/test_normal/test_normal.tga
rgbGen identity

nextBundle combine

cubeMap $normalCube
tcGen lightVector
texEnvCombine
{
rgb = DOT3_RGB ( Cp , Ct )
}
}
{
map $white
blendFunc GL_ONE GL_ONE
rgbGen lightingAmbient
}
{
map models/test_normal/test_skin.tga
blendFunc GL_DST_COLOR GL_ZERO
rgbGen lightingDiffuse
}
}

Ok then. Download the test model pk2 below, and go into base1, base2 or base3. These are the 3 maps that I have included .lightgrid files for. .lightgrid files contain advanced level lighting information, and so these are the only maps that have REAL lighting information. Information on making lightgrid files can be found on the forums. Ok, so you have the files, you loaded Q2E up in base1/2/3, now what? Well, we are going to use the /testmodel command to preview the model. Pull down the console, and type: /testmodel models/test_normal/tris.md3 This will create the preview model in front of your player. Want to test it out? Sure, just walk around it, fire at it etc etc, notice how the angles of lighting change? Try binding the command above to a key, and pressing it at different places in the map around lights. You will notice an even bigger change. Please note that Normal mapping on models is *STILL* work in progress, so its not perfect. But you can really see the results. Try it yourself.

Download This File

Tips And Tricks:

You can create lots of different effects with normal maps, from refracted water reflections, to high detail cube map reflections on models. There are so many different ways to use them! Keep reading for more ways to find out!

Want more fun? Try this bind /bind l "testgun models/test_normal/tris.md3;wait;cl_testGunX 60;wait;cl_testGunY -25;wait;cl_testGunZ -24" and walk around the level that way, with the testmodel on your screen. You can notice it a lot better this way!